The Alfa Romeo stand at the Geneva Motor Show is headlined by the launch of the glamorous new 8C Spider, a car which according to Alfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo (top) “is probably the world’s most beautiful Spider in production today.”

The Alfa Romeo stand at the Geneva Motor Show is headlined by the launch of the glamorous new 8C Spider, a car which according to Alfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo “is probably the world’s most beautiful Spider in production today.” The 8C Spider is a living symbol of the legendary Alfa Romeo brand.

Like its sister coupe model, the 8C Spider will be produced in a limited edition of 500 examples. The reservation books for this stunning 2-seater cabriolet were officially opened just days prior to the Geneva show for Alfa Romeo customers. The 8C Spider costs €175.000 excluding taxes. The example on display at the Geneva Motor Show is resplendent in Bianco Fuji, a colour borrowed from the Maserati portfolio.

Like the 8C Competizione, the Spider’s stunning carbon-fibre bodywork will be produced at ATR Group. It will than be mated to the steel chassis which is made by ITCA Produzione in Grugliasco, nearby the Fiat headquarters in Turin. Final assembly of the 8C Spider will take place at the Maserati factory in Modena.

The design of the 8C Spider is the result of the latest fluid-dynamic and real-time aerodynamic tests. As a result, the air flow around the car is unhampered by irregularities on the bodywork design, causing negative lift which contributes to stability at high-speed.

The electro-hydraulic retractable soft-top is activated by a switch on the dashboard, and is made from two layers. An external multi-thread layer ensures excellent all-weather protection, whereas a sound-proofing interior section adds to comfort. The soft-top is also available in different colours. Inside the 8C Spider continues the theme of the 8C Competizione, with a single-piece carbon fibre dashboard, aluminium switchgear and anatomical carbon fibre seats.

Performance from the all-aluminium 4691 cm3 90° V8 is lively. Maximum power of 450bhp is reached at 7000rpm, with maximum torque of 470Nm at 4750rpm. Top speed lies in excess of 290 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration takes only 4.4 seconds. All of this power is kept in check by Brembo (CCM) carbon ceramic brakes, measuring 380mm and the front and 360mm at the rear.

Like the sister 8C Competizione, the 8C Spider will represent one of the first Alfa Romeos of recent times to also be delivered officially to the USA. The 8C programme also spearheads the launch of the new compact B-segment Alfa, which will share similar styling cues when it is revealed later this year.

Emphasising the glorious heritage of the Alfa 8C Spider and its many historical design references, Alfa Romeo is presenting an example of the Alfa 33 Stradale on the stand, the four-decade-old sportscar superbly displayed in a darkened recess which features a huge angled glass roof section that allows the visitor to perfectly absorb the race-derived car's slippery and flowing shape. Also on the stand, positioned on the raised dais next to its sister 8C Spider, is an 8C Competizione, which is finished in black.

by James Granger